So I've been lurking on here while shopping for the right XK8 for about 3 months now, I ended up getting a 95k mile XKR because I found one nearby for the right price and I couldn't be happier

I didn't get a maintenence history though, the dealer bought it from said the coolant was serviced by Jaguar a week ago but other than that it is an unknown. The price was right though and other than needing a new set of tires it appears to be in great condition (I went through the checklist you can find here). I have driven several and this is the only one that did not have some mechanical issue. I put about 300 miles on it now and so far so good.

Anyway since I don't have a maintenence history I figure I will start with:
trans drain and fill
new spark plugs (does anyone have a torque spec on these?)
new belt
new fuel fiter
oil change
Of course I'll also inspect brakes, suspension, exhaust etc. and then pick up with the normal maintenence schedule at 110k

Anything else I should do now?

 

#1 priority is a secondary tensioner inspection. Many 2001s still have the plastic body tensioners that fail catastrophically. There is tons of information on the forum on this.

At your mileage, you should also consider changing the supercharger fluid. And make sure you replace the supercharger belt as well as the main drive belt.

 

+1 on the secondary tensioners. I've personally had no experience as I have an 05, but I've read enough on here to know this should be the very first thing you check. Even if they appear in good condition, replace with the metal ones ASAP. If you aren't convinced, this thread should do it for ya..

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ioners-114231/

 

Good advice already given on checking tensioners.

Unless there is a receipt for any work done, assume it hasn't been!

With an unknown service history, I go through ALL the items on the Maintenance Schedule. This picks up on anything that may have been missed in the past and gives a baseline for future servicing requirements.

Graham

 

Convertible or Coupe, if convertible, there are some additional maintenance items.

 

flush:

brake fluid
transmission fluid
power steering fluid
supercharger oil
differential lubricant

 

Can't recall seeing that recommendation for a power steering fluid flush before.

I'm not questioning the call, just interested to know if you've had fluid contamination issues?

Graham

 

It's a shame there is no way of knowing if the tensioners have been replaced without doing a tear down. Aren't they suppose to be noisy if they are the old style? Could a stethoscope in that area indicate good or bad news?

 

They rattle on startup when they are about to fail usually, but not always. If they rattle after startup that's a sign of impending disaster. Removing the cam cover is not a complete teardown. A nuisance, yes, but not that difficult.

 

I absolutely wouldn't take the chance. You might be able to use a fiber optic camera through the small holes for the vent hoses to take a look. Both of my cars have valve cover gasket leaks on purchase anyway, so pulling the cover was a good call anyway.